Steps for How to Repair Rush Seating

Locate the damaged area. If the damage is in the front corners of the seat within two inches of the front corner posts then you will not need to add temporary tacks. For damage in the very center of the seat skip to Step 7. For all other areas of damage, locate a square section that includes all of the damage. Follow the rush on the outside edge of the square in each direction to the rail. Tack a temporary tack through the outside edge of the fiber in two adjacent rows. This will hold the fiber in place while you repair the damage.

Cut across the fibers that fall inside your square box. You want to cut along the rail between your two sets of tacks on each side of the chair using a utility knife. Remove the majority of the rush. Locate the two knots on each outside row near the back rail of the chair. Use needle nose pliers to untie these knots. Remove the excess rush.

Position the chair so that the front rail is horizontal and close to you. Cut your rush fiber into 30 foot sections. It is sold in 150 foot lengths, so you should get five sections per coil. Dip your new 30 foot rush fiber coil into a bucket of warm water for 10 to 20 seconds.

Take the end of your rush and tie it to the rush that is to the underside and left of your repair area. Make a tight overhand knot and trim the ends. Bring the rush forward and up over the horizontal rush and the front rail. Take the rush down the front, under and toward the back until you reach the opening in the seat. Bring the rush up and to the left over the vertical rush.

Take the rush over the left side rail, under and up through the opening, up and over the right side rail and under. Bring the rush up through the opening and toward the back and over the back rail, down the back and under and up through the opening, and to the right up and over the right-side rail, down the right side and up through the opening. Take the rush to the left and up over the left side rail, down the side, under and up through the opening and to the back. Bring the rush over the back rail and under.

Knot your existing rush to a new strand in the same area of your first knot so that the knots are hidden to the back underside of the seat. Continue with Steps 4, 5 and 6 until you reach the loose knot on the right side of the damage. Keep the rush tight and tie your current rush to the old rush at the old knot location.

Repair the very center of the seat using a figure 8 weave. If your damage is near the center, the chair is usually wider than it is deep. This leaves a section near the middle with a slightly different weave. Locate the change of weave and follow the rush to the side where it is tacked. Remove the tack and cut the weave at the front and back rail across the change of weave section.

Tack the new end of your rush in the same location as the old tack. Thread the end of the rush to the center opening and bring it up through the opening. Take the rush to the front and over the front railing, down and under. Bring the rush up through the opening and to the back and over the back railing, then down and under. This is a figure 8. Continue this weave across the change of weave area. Tack the end to the side rail after threading it between the top and bottom weave. Trim off the excess rush. Remove your temporary tacks.

Seal your seat with shellac thinned with wood alcohol. Apply at least three to four coats allowing 12 hours drying time between coats.